Murel O’Connell died on February 15, 2017 at Aspen Gardens Assisted Living. Murel was born to William and Irene Redd on April 3, 1930 in Helena, MT. She was raised with her sister Eileen in the boarding house above Redd’s Grocery and the Red Meadow Bar, which was owned by her parents. She attended grade school in Helena and graduated from Helena High Class of 1948. She kept in contact with class mates throughout the years and attended monthly class luncheons until the end.
She married Charles Tienfenthaler soon after high school and they later divorced. She married the love of her life, who she had known since kindergarten, Jim O’Connell in 1955. They moved to Minneapolis for 3 1/2 years and then moved back to Helena where they spent the rest of their lives raising their 6 children. They were married for 55 years.
She made sure that her children were involved in arts, dance, and sports. They became very involved with Belmont and the children’s ski racing program. Jim and Murel took their children all over the US to race and ski. They bought a condo at Bridger Bowl so that they were never far from a ski hill in the winter. When they could no longer ski they moved to Arizona during the winter months until Jim died in 2010. They also had a cabin at Canyon Ferry for the summer sports. There were always lots of friends and family at their homes to share in the fun. Her children and grandchildren all learned to ski and water ski. Murel loved going to her grandchildren’s sporting events and dance recitals. She loved watching football, basketball and tennis and was able to go to Wimbledon.
During those years she was president of Jaycees, a Boy Scout leader, and involved in many community organizations. She lobbied with other Helena housewives to get wine into the grocery stores so they didn’t have to go into a liquor store. She was instrumental in helping Developmentally Disabled children be melded into Hawthorne school. She also took girls from the Florence Crittenton Home into her home until they had their babies. She welcomed Japanese and Philippine families into their home through the Friendship programs and stayed in their homes abroad. They traveled around the world and took their children and grandchildren with them on many of those trips.
Her interest in interior decorating started while she was decorating her homes. She attended MSU for a short time in her 50’s to study Interior Design. Her career in decorating lasted into her early 70’s. Many businesses and homes in Helena were decorated during those years and she even flipped a few rental properties.
“GG”, as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren called her, was a great mother and grandmother that can never be replaced. “Mother Murel” was a force in the Helena community throughout her life and will be missed by so many. Murel and Jim were supporters of enumerable charities and non-profits throughout their lifetime, including the Archie Bray Foundation, Carroll College and Westmont.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jim O’Connell, a daughter Kathryn, sisters Billie and Eileen, and Eileen’s husband Glenn. She is survived by her children Linda O’Connell, Lori(Mike)O’Connell, Jim O’Connell, Kelly(Jeanne)O’Connell, Kimmy(Lee)Skiftun, and Patti O’Connell; grandchildren Becci, Andy, Darci, Erin, Meghan, Michael, Sean, Patrick, Thomas and Marrisa. Great-grandchildren Darin, Breanna, Jake, Luke and Great-great grandchildren Mya and Bethany. She is also survived by her nephews Gary, Gregg and Jeff Breed and their children and grandchildren.
After Jim passed away she was able to stay home with the help of 24 hour care. We would like to thank Lisa Schmitz, Lusha Reis, Tina Bennett, and Brittany Herzog for being there and loving Murel for the last 6 years. Also thanks to Aspen Gardens for making her last month’s comfortable.
Services will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Our Redeemers Lutheran Church at 2:00pm. A reception will follow the service at the Green Meadow Country Club.
Donations can be sent to “Murel’s Kitchen” at the YWCA; Carroll College O’Connell Hall; or West Mont. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Murel.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
2:00 p.m.
Saturday April 1, 2017
Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church
3580 N Benton Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the service
Saturday April 1, 2017
Green Meadow Country Club
2720 Country Club Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Doris Romanisko says
Kimmy and Family…I’m sorry to learn of Murel’s passing. I will always fondly remember my first visit with her and your Dad as she proudly showed me their home and all of the artifacts from their lives. It was followed by us kicking the autumn leaves in the neighborhood…a fun time for both of us. Keep the happy memories close and allow the difficult ones to fade. D
Denise says
So sorry about your mom. I think about her every day when I drive by the house. Love to you all!!!
George and Jackie LLOYD says
Kimmy, So sorry to hear about your Mom. George still talks about his moving your parents and all the antiques they had. George and Jackie Lloyd
Tom juhl says
RIP. Murel you are a class act….
Bill & Judy Coddington says
Dear O’Connell kids – Judy and I will never forget your mother’s influence on our lives when we first came to Helena in 1968. She was an amazing lady. Perhaps you remember the nickname I gave her? “Magical Murel” – and that she was!
Jan (Sassano) Funston says
Kimmy and the rest of the family. You mom was a wonderful lady. I have fond memories of our random visits when we crossed paths at restaurants around town in her later years. She was a joy to see.
May you find comfort in each other at this time.
Barb Morris says
Kimmy, Lori, &. Families, I am so sorry about Murel’s passing. She was so unique! Helena lost an icon for sure….. Love & Hugs to you all!
Lynn Phillips says
Murel and Jim were so much fun and great neighbors. I particularly enjoyed Murel’s lively energy and curiosity. Sad to see her leave us, but what a lot of memories we have! My condolences to the family.
VALERIE EICKMEYER says
Jimmy and family so sorry to hear about your mom. Your in my thoughts and prayers.
Joe Epler says
Linda,so sorry for the loss of your Mom. Ruth and your Mom and all their old friends from Our Redeemers are now together.
Don Pratt says
Kimmy, so sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. We have many memories of her and your father from our JC years and beyond. I am in Del Rio,TX so will be unable to attend the service but my thoughts and prayers are with you and the family at this time.
Denise Schell Sowers says
Dear Patty and family,
My deepest sympathy for your loss. Your Mom was one of a kind and she’ll be missed by many. I’ll always remember the trips to Cascade in her little red Porsche.
David Lemm says
Dear O’Connell’s,
My sincere condolences to all of you during this time of loss. On behalf of myself and the entire
Lemm Family our thoughts and prayers all with you.
David
Kathy Schenck says
I have lots of wonderful memories of Murel from our former church building of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran. She helped decorate it when it was new so many years ago. She provided the brass fixtures on the altar. When we could finally afford carpeting she helped pick it out. She would visit me in the church office & I would occasionally stop by her house for a chat on my lunch break walks. So sorry for your loss. Kathy Schenck
Theresa & Mike King says
Kimmy and Kelly, We are so sorry to hear about your Mom. What a lovely lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May you find peace in your hearts knowing that she is with the Lord.
Lusha Reis says
O’Connell Family I cant tell you how much I enjoyed that past years with Mural and boy did I learn a lot from her. I think of her everyday and sure miss her. Love you all.
Lusha Reis and Family
Arlene Flynn says
Kimmy and Family,
We are so sorry for the loss of your mom. What a legacy both she and your dad have left behind in this community! One that people will never forget. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Arlene and Chuck
Dorie Refling says
Dear O’Connells,
Our family was lucky to have Jim and Murel as our Canyon Ferry neighbors when we acquired our place in the mid-1990’s. We enjoyed their wonderful stories and appreciated how much they loved all of you. Please accept our sympathy upon the loss of Murel.
The Paul Refling Family
Mike and Diane Langenfus says
Linda, Lori, Jim, Kelly, Kimmy, and Patty,
I cannot begin to express my shock and sadness to read of Murel passing. I sit here filled with years of memories of time spent with both Jim and Murel. Ski trips with The Hoopes, O’Connells and McKeevers at the Condo at Bridger. Christmas partys at the O’Connell home, weddings, more weddings, and Murel taking control of every business I opened or home I bought with the decorating. The KMTX parties in the early days of the station were the best and no matter where the party was held, Murel was the consummate hostess. They were the best business landlords I ever had and Murel was a good friend whenever I needed one. The West side will never be the same with both of them gone now. She was one of a kind and Helena has lost one of it’s greatest supporters. Please accept my sympathy.
Diane McKeever-Langenfus
Paul & Donna Anderson says
Paul & I were sorry to read of Murel’s passing. We will miss her deeply. She was a colorful figure, great to know and do business with. Murel and your family have contributed so much to Helena and Montana. It has been our honor to know her and your family.
Paul & Donna Anderson
Sherry and Jim McGlynn says
We met Murel in June of 2013 as we were touring Helena on our way from New Jersey to Alaska. She welcomed us to Helena and volunteered to give us a guided tour of her home, of which she was very proud. She was a friendly and gracious lady, with a lot of interesting stories, and we do not think of Helena without fondly remembering Murel.